What’s the Point of Work-Related Stress?

Stress is a normal body response to a complex or unknown situation, but when endured for a prolonged and intense amount of time, it can negatively impact our health and well-being.

Work is one of the most significant stress factors in the life of many people.

Studies have shown that stress at work can cause health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, sleep disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.

For employers, direct and indirect costs of work-related stress can be enormous, particularly regarding absenteeism, loss of productivity and interpersonal conflicts. Consequently, stress management at work is a major concern for employers and workers.

Here are a few tips for helping workers better manage their stress at work:

• Take regular breaks:
  • It is essential to take regular breaks to rest and recharge. It can include stretching your legs, breathing exercises, or enjoying your favorite drink.
• Plan and organize work:
  • Efficient work planning and organization can help reduce stress by providing a clear framework to complete tasks and reduce deadlines.
• Avoid high-risk behaviors:
  • It is essential to limit risky behaviors that can increase stress, such as working excessively, absenteeism, procrastination or technology overuse.
• Exercise regularly:
  • Working out consistently is an excellent way to reduce stress and maintain good physical and mental health.
• Avoid preventable stress factors:
  • It is essential to identify and avoid preventable stress factors as much as possible, such as interpersonal conflicts, difficult working conditions or lack of support at work.

For employers, stress management at work can include:

• Offer employee assistance programs:
  • Employers can offer employee assistance programs, such as stress prevention programs, counseling services, coaching services or support groups.
• Promote a culture of well-being:
  • Employers can support a wellness culture by offering benefits like paid sick days, flexible work schedules, telework options and fitness programs.
• Offer occupational health and safety training:
  • Employers can provide occupational health and safety training courses to help employees better understand their health and safety risks and adopt safe and healthy behaviors.

Despite people’s goodwill, stress-related psychological distress can sometimes hit workers and instantly impact their quality of life.

What to do if a worker shows signs of intense stress and psychological distress?

1. The first step is to offer a sympathetic ear and show them they are not alone.
2. Then, list all available support options to help manage stressful emotions. For example, if your organization offers telemedicine services or training courses on that topic, it would be great to promote them to the employee.
3. Next, identify problematic situations and tasks that may hinder the employee’s well-being. Never hesitate to rearrange tasks if they can be avoided or delegated to another resource without affecting operations.

Are you looking for more information, or would you like to offer additional support to your employees? We invite you to visit the website of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Would you like to build your employees’ knowledge to promote their confidence and autonomy?